Meet Allison Lam | Architectural Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Lam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, why did you pursue a creative career?
Truth be told, my decision to enter a creative field when I first applied to college was from a desire to have fun in my career. I couldn’t imagine myself at a desk job with no room for creative freedom. I wanted autonomy over what I did and to be excited by new projects, innovative ideas and changing technologies.

My senior year studying architecture brought a harrowing life check as my years of college crescendoed into a final thesis which should encompass everything I’ve learned over the past four years. Fear and insecurities filled my mind as I despaired, “Is this really what I want to do with my life?” Uninspired and uncertain, I began to dig deep into where my motivations lie and why I wanted to do what I do. As a girl with a big heart, many of my actions and efforts are driven by my emotions. I thought of the times when I felt like I could rule the world and the times when I could dig myself a hole and hide in it forever. I thought of the times I felt the most loved and the times that I was the loneliest. There was an underlying factor that affected each one of these instances.

Community.

I began to look through my projects with this new lens. How could my creations foster community? Could an office be designed to be a place I enjoy going to every day? What makes people turn to a stranger and ask about their day? And could architecture make that happen?

I am pursuing a creative career because I want to make people happy. I believe that it can start with where we live, where we learn, where we eat, play, and grow. I am pursuing a creative career because I want to make the world a kinder place.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
This might not answer the question, but I want to talk about the uncertainty and insecurities that come with being a creator. One thing I never quite figured out was how I stood apart from the other creatives in my field. I wasn’t particularly the best at one skill nor did I have a particular style that was identifiable as my own. In school, we praise individuality and the novelty of ideas, but I often became paralyzed in fear that I couldn’t reinvent the wheel. I became anxious that I wasn’t at the top of the class, and if I couldn’t be then I would be overlooked and disregarded. I believed that architecture was not for the faint of heart and that changing my career path to anything but an architect would be counted as a failure. These constricting fears only lessened my motivation and it translated into my work. As I worked through the final project of my undergraduate studies, I knew I had to find a motive that wasn’t reliant on others’ opinions of me.

I am simply someone with a big heart who wants to make the built environment kinder to the people who are in it.

And I think that’s okay. That doesn’t necessarily set me apart from everyone else. In fact, I hope that my peers share the same passion. But I used this as my drive to complete my projects. How can I show people how much of an impact design in the built environment can do?

I guess this advice is targeted towards the people who aren’t sure of who they want to be or what they want to do. Find out what drives your actions. What pulls at your heartstrings? Find meaning in what you do. It won’t matter whether you are the best in your class or if you haven’t discovered time travel. If you love what you do, it’ll show up in your work. And in the right place and with the right audience, your work will be highly valued. Do what you love and love what you do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Totally depends on the kind of person you are, but there is a lot you can do in Savannah. I love love love the nature in and around Savannah and the Golden Isles. The squares in Savannah are iconic, and Forsyth’s farmers market on Saturday mornings is a must-do. Along River/Bay/Broughton Street is a really nice walk and Rousakis Echo Square is one of my favourite thing to show people. It’s a little square that echoes your voice back at you when you stand directly in the middle of it. Of course, I would make a stop at SCAD’s Museum of Art, which always has thought-provoking contemporary art. Further south, Skidaway Island has a beautiful nature trail and further west, Tybee Island is a great beachy tourist area. My favourite restaurant here is PJ Thai, which has the most delicious Thai food. The last place I’ll mention is Fancy Parker’s, specifically during the late hours of the night. Around 2-3 am, Fancy Parker’s has the most interesting mix of customers. It is truly a wonderful place to people-watch while munching on some delicious fried chicken.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m truly blessed to have an amazing, loving family that I call home. No family is perfect; mine is no exception. But as my mother, my father, and my brother are all experiencing the joys and stresses of life for the first time, they have taught me so many lessons that shape who I am as a person. They have taught me about faith and a love that never runs dry. They have taught me to be bold and to dance like there’s nobody there. They have taught me about the important things in life and how to prioritize them. I’ve learned how to approach conflict and how to put myself in the other person’s shoes. I’ve learned how to be tough when the going gets hard. I could name countless other lessons I’ve learned but the one thing I am most grateful for is the overflowing love they have for me that I can pour back into everyone in my life. I follow in their footsteps to love in and despite hardship. You guys are awesome. Thanks for making me the person I am today.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-mt-lam/

Other: Portfolio: https://issuu.com/allisonlam/docs/portfolio_february_2024